Richard Hogan: The new Leaving Cert needs a new approach

"...they have struggled with their mental health because they have been asked to stay in, attend school online and prepare for a state exam in the middle of a global health crisis..."

Richard Hogan: 'I have been around students in various capacities for over 17 years and I have seen how they can often miss an important detail that costs them dearly in the exam and subsequent points race.'

Last week, The Department of Education and Skills outlined the significant changes students will face in this summer's Leaving Certificate exam. For many parents with students in the house, they are left wondering what does it all mean and how can they best prepare their child for this new exam? 

Being a parent of a Leaving Cert student is tricky business at the best of times; the sudden mood swings, the food demands, the emotional roller-coaster, the million eggshells you have to traverse on a daily basis and that’s just your husband! Okay, I thought a bit of levity might be needed. But as I said, it’s tricky at the best of times not to mention managing all of that during a global health crisis. Keeping the equilibrium of the family healthy can be very challenging during the months leading up to the big state exam.